The Society of Inash Al Usra was established in 1965 by a group of women volunteers, headed by the late Mrs. Sameeha Khalil. The Society indulged in the following educational and vocational programs:
1. Colleges for medical professions that include: (a) a school for nursing, (b) a school for teaching medical secretaries, and (c) a school for physical therapy. The duration of study is 2 years. So far, 500 women graduated from this college.
2. Educational and vocational centers, including: (a) child education programs, (b) secretarial and administrative skills, (c) beauty schools, (d) hand embroidery, and (e) machine sewing. The duration of study is one year.
Support to Higher Education
The Society offers annual scholarships for university students in need of financial assistance to cover university/college fees only. The total support value exceeds USD 100,000 per year.
Type of Support
Scholarships
The Society offers annual scholarships to more than 100 students in Palestinian universities in all studying fields with a total budget exceeding USD 100,000. The scholarship covers university/college fees only.
Training
Training programs are available through vocational centers. The Society has the following vocational centers and programs:
● The Child Education Program: This program, initiated in 2000, offers a 10-month course on the latest theoretical and practical methods in child education. So far, 600 women graduated from this course, most of whom have found employment in preschools.
● The Secretarial and Business Administration Center: This center, established in 1974, has been very successful in opening job opportunities for women graduating from high schools. Its graduates are renowned for their high competency and good performance. So far, 1,200 young women graduated from this center.
● The Sewing Center: This center, established in 1965, is the oldest vocational center of the Society. Women get training in sewing for 10 months after which they would have mastered basic sewing skills. So far, 700 women graduated from this center.
● The Beauty Culture Center: This center was established in 1969. Most of the Center’s 3000 women graduates have been absorbed by the local market. Some have opened their own beauty parlors in their villages and home towns, addressing a need within certain communities isolated by sieges and check points.
● Machine Embroidery: This center was established in 1968, and addresses the needs of several communities garnishing their dresses with a unique kind of embroidery which used to be hand-made, but can now be machine-made. So far, 700 women graduated from this center since it was first established.
● Adult Education Center: This center was established in 1971. It aims to combat women's illiteracy, and help women who were prohibited from completing their basic education, by teaching them practical skills and health awareness.
Duration of Support
Scholarships
From year one until the graduation of the student.
Training
One year; depending on the course duration.
Eligibility Criteria
Scholarships
Applicants must be:
● Palestinian nationals.
● 18 years old.
● Fresh Tawjihi graduates.
● Non-smokers.
Applicants should be from a very needy and poor family, orphaned or handicapped, have unemployed fathers or fathers have very bad health history.
Training
Applicants must be:
● Palestinian females.
● 18-19 years old.
● Passing Tawjihi is not necessary for admission.
Application Procedures
Scholarships
● Usually forms and applications are submitted to beneficiaries yearly after the announcement of Tawjihi results from mid-July to mid-April.
● The student shall come to the Society by himself after the announcement of the opening date and fill the required application set for interview.
● The applicants will pay the fees of the first semester from their own money and the selected students will be reimbursed as soon as the social research is done. This usually takes around three months.
● Applications are to be sent to
alusra@live.com
● Applicants shall provide the following documents:
- Tawjihi Certificate.
- Health certificate for parents if they have bad health conditions.
- Death certificate if father is dead.
- Eligibility from any local university.
- Fees of the first semester will be covered by student and if found eligible for the scholarship, student will be reimbursed.
● The selected student should maintain good marks in all semesters as marks will be considered and evaluated after every semester.
● All submitted applications will be evaluated by the selection committee formed from the board of directors.
Training
● Usually, forms and applications are submitted to beneficiaries yearly after the announcement of Tawjihi results from mid-July to mid-August.
● Applications are to be submitted directly to the College (vocational centers).
● All submitted applications will be evaluated by the selection committee formed from the College.
Deadlines
Scholarships
N/A
Training
N/A
Contact
Additional Information
In addition, the Society has a library of 15,000 books, and offers a number of activities to enhance the cultural development of women through monthly lectures, workshops, conferences, folklore dancing courses (Dabka) and a choir.